The LED. Sept Upcoming Swap Fests. September 13, September 20, September 27, October 10, 2015.

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The LED Published by the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) Howell, Michigan Upcoming Swap Fests September 13, 2015 Findlay Hamfest Location: Findlay, Ohio September 20, 2015 Adrian Hamfest

1 The LED Published by the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) Howell, Michigan Upcoming Swap Fests September 13, 2015 Findlay Hamfest Location: Findlay, Ohio September 20, 2015 Adrian Hamfest Location: Adrian, MI September 27, 2015 Cleveland Hamfest Location: Berea, Ohio October 10, 2015 TBARC Swapmeet Location: Alpena, MI October 17, 2015 Muskegon Color Hamfest Location: Muskegon, MI October 18, 2015 Kalamazoo Hamfest Location: Kalamazoo, MI October 25, 2015 USECA s Swap & Shop Location: Madison Heights, MI Shared from Sept 2015

Jim President Leader Comedian Friend Ask not what your radio club can do for you, ask what you can do for your radio club (Deliberately lifted from John. F. Kennedy s 1961 Inaugural Address) K 8 J K Time flies when you re having fun, and this year has been no exception to that old line.

2 Jim President Leader Comedian Friend Ask not what your radio club can do for you, ask what you can do for your radio club (Deliberately lifted from John. F. Kennedy s 1961 Inaugural Address) K 8 J K Time flies when you re having fun, and this year has been no exception to that old line. Most of the official summer season is now history. Soon we ll begin to complain about how cold it is. Already I ve noticed the evening daylight hours getting shorter. Additionally, I m a little behind on my antenna to do list before the weather makes a turn. Here s hoping you are all in better shape with those outdoor radio projects. I mentioned last month about the awesome power and capabilities within our little radio club. I believe this is a huge asset that everyone can take advantage of. In retrospect I realized some folks reading this newsletter may NOT be members of the LARK. Even so, you can still take advantage of this talent by attending our Saturday breakfast. The official LARK breakfast is held on the FIRST and THIRD Saturday of most every month, beginning around 8 AM. We re meeting at AMERICUS GRILL in Brighton. The truth is that there are many of us who get together most every Saturday morning at the same location and time. Drop by, enjoy the opportunity to talk, and enjoy a pretty good meal. Sometimes you re wrestling with a technical issue or challenge that may seem overwhelming. LARK members may be able to assist you, but unlike service that you pay for, there are a few friendly guidelines. First, let us know you re having an issue. The LARK breakfast or a club meeting might be a good place to share that information. Second, it s good to plan and prepare in advance if you are attempting to solicit help. Timing can be everything in trying to gather up human resources for your next big antenna project. Finally, consider offering something in return for all the effort. This doesn t have to be complicated or expensive; you might want to bring a snack to the next meeting, or perhaps provide snacks after we complete your project. These three steps may help you accomplish more with amateur radio. Snacks and treats at our club meetings are generally provided by your fellow club members. No club funds are spent on those munchies. I encourage all members to participate, either by providing edibles or donating a few dollars to the cause. Feel free to approach any LARK officer about this. Beginning in January, we d like to start a new feature article in our LED newsletter, called Ship Shape Shack Shots. It s really simple, just take a picture of you at the controls of your radio gear, and send it to or give it Continued on Page 4 The LED Sept 2015 Page 2

From the Program Director: Following last month s presentation, the consensus opinion of the Klub members was that we should continue to pursue a better understanding of Packet Radio for a few more

We took a fifty thousand foot look at how packet operates and realized that there is a lot going on behind the scenes to assemble packets, calculate and perform error checking, modulate and

3 From the Program Director: Following last month s presentation, the consensus opinion of the Klub members was that we should continue to pursue a better understanding of Packet Radio for a few more months. We took a fifty thousand foot look at how packet operates and realized that there is a lot going on behind the scenes to assemble packets, calculate and perform error checking, modulate and demodulate the RF from the radio and do all this with minimal operator involvement. But, we don t need to understand the in s and out s of AX.25 Link Layer Protocol to operate packet radio any more than we need to understand the code running the engine control computer to drive a car. With that in mind, the September program time will be devoted to a review of basic Packet Radio equipment and a demonstration of packet communications. We ll set up a couple of stations using the SPARK kit and similar equipment and barring any recurring problems with Windows 10 this should all work well. Actually, this works well with Windows XP so we ll stick to that. Switching topics, I d like to discuss coaxial cables. Coax comes in many physical sizes and characteristic impedance s. We are most familiar with the 50 and 75 ohm types found in diameters ranging from about in. to 0.5 in. Coax also comes in larger diameters, but then we usually refer to it as Hardline. The construction of coax varies and we can find solid and stranded center conductors, various types of dielectric materials, various types of outer shield construction, and finally, different outer covering materials. By using the RG designator on the coax you can determine some basic information about its construction. For example, RG-58/U has a 50 ohm characteristic impedance, a diameter of about in. and it has a solid center conductor. If the designator were RG-58A/U it would indicate a stranded center conductor. Unfortunately, the RG designations are no longer controlled so you will need to refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to determine other properties such as dielectric materials, wire sizes, and outer shell composition. The characteristic impedance of a coaxial cable is determined by several factors including the composition of the dielectric material used to insulate the center conductor from the shield, the outside diameter of the center conductor and the inside diameter of the shield. The characteristic impedance of an air insulated coaxial line can be found using the formula: Zo =138 log (b/a) where b= inside diameter of the outer conductors and a= outside diameter of the inner conductor. The use of a dielectric material other than air will affect the characteristic impedance (and complicate the formula). Say what? So, after all of that, what I really want you to understand and appreciate is that coax cable needs to be handled with care. Kinks and sharp bends can break the center conductor. They can also alter the spacing between the inner and outer conductors and that will change the characteristic impedance of the coax. One small kink might not change the impedance much, but several could introduce enough of a change to cause an increase in SWR and losses. Treat your coax carefully. Wind it up in smooth coils and NEVER wind it on your arm like you might a rope. Handled properly, coax will last for years and work when you need it to. 73 Submitted by Bob K8VQC The LED Sept 2015 Perhaps the Program Director can explain this in our next meeting. Page 3

I want to kick this off at the beginning of the year because it s going to take me that long to clean up my own station!

4 Jim s Jive (continued from page 2) to the newsletter editor. Not only is this a great way to get your picture in the LED, it will motivate you to clean up your radio room! (You might even discover something you ve been looking for under that pile of magazines and important stuff ). I want to kick this off at the beginning of the year because it s going to take me that long to clean up my own station! Finally, some LARK members will be demonstrating amateur radio to a Howell area Cub Scout pack in September. If you know of an organization or group that might want to learn more about our hobby, make sure you let an executive team member know. 73 Submitted by Jim K8JK Picture submitted by Darrell Black. Excellent example of Ship Shape Shack Shot EXCEPT it is missing the operator. Awards and Recognitions Congratulations to Les Butler. August 10th marked his one year anniversary on HF. In one year he has worked 180 countries, with 169 confirmed. Les uses what he calls an ultimate tracking sheet. Are YOU earning awards? Please send the details to w8mck@arrl.net to be recognized in the LED. Do you operate on 160? The ARRL also commented on the FCC's proposal to amend its Part 80 rules to permanently authorize radio buoy operations on the "open sea" under a ship station license in the khz band, which the Commission recently elevated to primary for Amateur Radio. The League said there is "no evidence of compatibility" between Amateur Radio operation in the band and the "heretofore illegal" ocean buoy operations there. "Should the Commission proceed with its proposal...to make the khz band available to commercial fishing vessels for use by radio buoys on the open sea and to include them in the equipment authorized as part of a ship station license, it should not do so by means of a primary allocation for these devices in ITU Regions 2 and 3 as proposed," the League said. "The entitlement to utilize radio buoys should be on a secondary basis to the Amateur Service (and other radio services operating in the khz band), and the buoys should be prohibited from causing harmful interference to Amateur stations without qualification." In a footnote, the ARRL said, "The record is silent heretofore as to the need to use radio buoys in this frequency range. There is no information as to the necessary path distances for these devices and why a band with very long distance propagation is necessary for these buoys rather than VHF or some other suitable alternative." From ARRL Bulletin ARLB028 The LED Sept 2015 Page 4

5 Livingston Amateur Radio Klub Meeting Minutes August 13, 2015, Minutes of the L.A.R.K. General Membership Members and guests present: Jim Kvochick K8JK, Bob Hitchens K8VQC, John Waters KD8CCR, Mary Kruger W8MCK, Les Butler W8MSP, Karen Butler KB8AKC, Larry Kube KD8VKW, Charlie McChristy KB8OVJ, Isaac McChristy, Ralph McChristy N8RBA, Reece Albright KD8WVL, John Wilson K8TTI, Chris Hammond KD8WPY, Bruce Pollock N8WWX, Mark Sharef WQ8S, George Vercuic W8CO, Todd Kube KD8WPX, Dave Marble KD8UCF, Mark Plante KE8BVK, Paul Eades KK6AAQ, Carl Small K0FBI. After reciting the pledge of allegiance, President Jim Kvochick K8JK called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. and made introductions. Program director Bob Hitchens K8VQC gave a presentation on packet radio. After assessing the level of interest, it was agreed we will continue the discussion on packet at the next meeting with a live demonstration. Minutes of the July Meeting: Minutes from July were printed in the August edition of the LED. Motion to accept by Mark Sharef WQ8S; seconded by John Wilson K8TTI. Motion carried. Treasurers Report: Mark Sharef WQ8S moved to accept the financial report as printed; seconded by Ralph McChristy N8RBA. Motion carried. Committee Reports: RACES/CERT: Bruce Pollock N8WWX asked for a couple volunteers to help out at the Emergency Readiness Expo being held the weekend of September 11-12, Volunteers are needed to work at a CERT/Ham Radio table on Friday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The evening will include many informative topics. For more information refer to or jaydrick@gmail.com. Technical Director: Les Butler W8MSP shared with the group that the new repeaters are not on the air yet since the long term availability of the site is not certain. Newsletter Editor: Mary Kruger W8MCK invited the members to submit articles and information for the newsletters. The information can be sent via to W8MCK@arrl.net or given to her at any meeting. VE Report: No one presented for testing. Old Business: None New Business: The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015: John Wilson K8TTI began a discussion about this pending legislation and whether LARK could or should offer financial and/or other support for these bills (H.R.1301 in the US House of Representatives and S1685 in the Senate). If enacted, these bills would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land use restrictions. All are urged to learn about these bills and to write their congressmen to state their position on these topics. For a full explanation of these bills and to find the addresses of your congressmen, please refer to Request for Amateur Radio Demonstration: A local Cub Scout group requested a demonstration of Amateur Radio to take place at the Peacemakers Gun Club in September Pat Shannon W8LNO motioned to adjourn; seconded by Ralph McChristy N8RBA. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m. 50/50 raffle won by John Wilson K8TTI. Respectfully submitted, Karen Butler KB8AKC, Recording Secretary The LED Sept 2015 Page 5

6 September 2015 Livingston Area Radio Klub LARK P.O. Box 283 Howell, MI October Net Americus Grill 9836 E. Grand River Ave Brighton, MI The Livingston Amateur Radio Klub maintains the (negative offset, CTCSS) and also the (positive offset, CTCSS) repeaters in Livingston County The LED Sept 2015 Page 6 6

useful to the membership. Please submit materials to W8MCK@arrl.

Share your ideas and we can work together to prepare it for

Submissions received by the last day of each month will be

LARK Board Meetings occur via teleconference on the third

7 Hmmm? Could this apply to Ham s? NOTICE: This is your newsletter and we need your ideas to make it useful to the membership. Please submit materials to Don t like to write? That s ok! Share your ideas and we can work together to prepare it for publication. Submissions received by the last day of each month will be considered for the next edition. Celebrate America! LARK Board Meetings occur via teleconference on the third Thursday of every month. If you are interested you may join in by calling , using an access code of The group generally begins at 7 p.m. Submitted by Patrick, W8LNO The LED Sept 2015 Page 7

Back Up...Back Up Back Up Do YOU have a current back up of your system in a safe place? Don t let this happen to you! Livingston Amateur Radio Klub P.O. Box 283 Howell, Mi 48844 Www.W8LRK.org Net 146.

8 Back Up...Back Up Back Up Do YOU have a current back up of your system in a safe place? Don t let this happen to you! Livingston Amateur Radio Klub P.O. Box 283 Howell, Mi Net , Sundays 9 p.m. Club Call: W8LRK Klub Meetings: Second Thursday each Livingston County Central Dispatch 300 S. Highlander Way Howell, MI Next Meeting: August 13, 2015, 7 p.m. Board Members: President: Jim K8JK Vice-President: Van N8GVD Secretary: Karen KB8AKC Treasurer: Patrick W8LNO Program Director: Bob K8VQC Tech Director: Les W8MSP Director: John KD8CCR Committee Chairpersons: Repeater Trustee: Jim K8JK LED Editor: Mary W8MCK VE Coordinator: Jim K8JK Public Info Ofcr: TBA Web Site: Reece KB0KSU The Livingston Amateur Radio Klub maintains the (negative offset, CTCSS) and also the (positive offset, CTCSS) repeaters in Livingston County. ARRL Bulletin 25 ARLB025 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT August 25, 2015 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB025 ARLB025 FCC Universal Licensing System, Other Applications to be Down for Maintenance FCC website maintenance in early September will make the Universal Licensing System (ULS), the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), the Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) and other public applications unavailable for more than 5 days. The Commission said the outage will begin at 2200 UTC on Wednesday, September 2, and continue through the Labor Day weekend. The maintenance work should be completed by 1200 UTC on Tuesday, September 8. During the ULS outage, it will not be possible to file any Amateur Radio applications. In a blog, "Modernizing the FCC's IT," FCC CIO David Bray said that with the world and the technology we use changing rapidly, "the information technology used by the Federal Communications Commission must change as well." Bray said the FCC has "made significant progress to upgrade and modernize our infrastructure, and we continue to work on modernizing the FCC's legacy IT systems with the resources we have available." "We understand that this temporary downtime before and during the Labor Day Weekend may be inconvenient for some FCC stakeholders," Bray added. Did you know? VE Testing The LARK continues to offer FREE amateur radio exam sessions. Thanks to all the VE examiners who make this happen! If you know of potential new amateurs, send them our way. If you re looking to upgrade, we re only too happy to offer you the test. Tell your friends, enemies, mail carrier, heck, everybody! The LED Sept 2015 Page 8

The LED. Published by the. Livingston Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) Howell, Michigan. HAMS making the World Better. Boston Marathon 2013

The LED. Published by the. Livingston Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) Howell, Michigan. HAMS making the World Better. Boston Marathon 2013 The LED Published by the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) July 2017 Howell, Michigan HAMS making the World Better Boston Marathon 2013 Approximately 200 Amateur Radio operators assist in communications